(2) the equipment associated with their production, use, measurement and evaluation

(3) the quality of images resulting from their production and use

(4) medical health physics associated with this subfield

III. Medical Nuclear Physics

This particular field pertains to:

(1) the therapeutic and diagnostic applications of radionuclides (except those used in sealed sources for therapeutic purposes)

(2) the equipment associated with their production, use, measurement and evaluation

(3) the quality of images resulting form their production and use

(4) medical health physics associated with this subfield

IV. Medical Health Physics

This particular field pertains to:

(1) the safe use of x rays, gamma rays, electron and other charged particle beams of neutrons or radionuclides and of radiation from sealed radionuclide sources for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, except with regard to the application of radiation to patients for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes

It is expected that an individual will not hold himself/herself out to be qualified in a subfield for which
he/she has not established competency. An individual will be considered competent to practice one or more of the subfields of Medical Physics if that individual is certified in that subfield by any one of the
following:

1) The American Board of Radiology

2) The American Board of Medical Physics

3) The American Board of Health Physics

4) The American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine

5) The Canadian College of Physics in Medicine

The American Association of Physicists in Medicine regards board certification in the appropriate medical subfield and continuing education as the appropriate qualification for the designation of
Qualified Medical Physicist.

In addition to the above qualifications, a Qualified Medical Physicist shall meet and uphold the "Guidelines for Ethical Practice for Medical Physicists" as published by the American Association of
Physicists in Medicine, and satisfy state licensure where applicable.

The AAPM is a scientific, educational, and professional nonprofit organization devoted to the discipline of physics in medicine. The information provided in this website is offered for the benefit of its members and the general public, however, AAPM does not independently verify or substantiate the information provided on other websites that may be linked to this site.